Horse Charmer

by Angelia Almos

  She pondered the answer, feeling Kali wasn't telling her everything. Luki shot her another look, distracting her from the conversation. Cassia waited for Luki to look at her again. He stopped what he was doing in surprise when he saw her staring back at him.

  "We're alone," she said. The Talent had finished his chores and was no longer working near them. "Spit it out."

  Luki struggled quietly for a moment his eyes on the ground. He set his brush down with more force than necessary and stalked over to her. "You didn't wait for me."

  "I did," she corrected as calmly as she could. "We waited over there." Cassia gestured to the grove of trees at the head of the trail. "But his guards spotted us and we couldn't wait any longer."

  "You shouldn't have confronted him alone. You had no one to defend you."

  She laid a hand on Kali's back. "My defender was right next to me."

  A hurt look crossed Luki's face. She laid her other hand on his arm.

  "You're help is greatly appreciated and needed," Cassia assured him.

  "You should have waited."

  She sighed. "I can't take it back, Luki. Everything turned out all right. Julyan wasn't responsible for my father's death. He doesn't like you any more than you like him."

  Luki looked away, then back at her. "That's because I'd like to run him through. I don't trust him."

  She hesitated. "I wouldn't say I trust him."

  "Then why do you believe him?"

  Cassia wasn't sure how to answer the question, especially since his question made so much sense. She hadn't been clear to Luki about her gifts and her connection with Kali.

  "Let's just say I know he wasn't lying when he told me he wasn't involved."

  He stared into her face and gave a short nod. "Doesn't mean you can trust him."

  "That's why I have you," she said with a smile. "He wants me to stay here."

  "I gathered that, to train with him?"

  "Yes."

  "Are you going to tell me in what?"

  "In my Talent," Cassia said her voice barely audible.

  "We're all alone." Luki mimicked her tone and leaned in closer.

  In their current position, no one could see them hidden between the two horses. She had a sudden feeling that they were alone in their horsey cocoon.

  "I'm a Horse Charmer." Cassia twisted her fingers in Kali's mane.

  "What does that mean?"

  Cassia almost laughed. She'd debated over her gift so much she had forgotten most people had no idea what a Horse Charmer was.

  "I can speak with horses," she said. "Like what you do, but a hundred-fold."

  Luki shot a look at Kali. "Talk with them."

  "Yes." Relief washed over her at revealing her secret.

  "So, the riding lessons I gave you a couple of years ago?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

  Cassia blushed, remembering her ploy to spend time with him the first summer he'd brought horses to her father. She'd pretended to have trouble with a particular colt.

  "Hmm," Luki said.

  "I apologize. That was untruthful of me."

  "You didn't need my help."

  Cassia shook her head and dropped her gaze. His soft laugh surprised her into looking back into his eyes.

  "I always had a feeling you knew a heck of a lot more than me." He edged closer. "Are you talking to her now?"

  "No, she's giving me some privacy, by pretending to be a normal horse."

  I would never pretend such a farce.

  Luki reached up and pulled on a curl escaping her braid and tucked it behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her cheek. Cassia forgot to breathe as she stared up into his sea-blue eyes. His face moved a fraction closer.

  "Rider coming!"

  The shout rang out and suddenly the yard was a flurry of activity.

  Neither Kali or Dall moved, keeping the protective cocoon intact, but Cassia jumped at the shout and Luki let his hand slide down with a rueful smile. He glanced over Kali's back and his smile turned to a frown.

  "It's Alrik," he said.

  "Alrik?" She spun around and peered over. "What's he doing here?"

  "If I had to guess, I'd say he followed us."

  "But why?"

  "He was suspicious when we talked. He knew something wasn't right, even if he didn't know what. I think your intrigue is about to be exposed."

  "Especially considering I didn't use my alias up here," she said with a sigh.

  She froze as Luki's hand slid down her braid and rested gently on her back for a moment. He moved away, releasing his hold on her. She turned her head to look at him questioningly.

  "I'm afraid Julyan's correct. I'm not a safe escort for you." He picked his brush back up and started grooming Dall again.

  "What does that mean?" Cassia demanded in confusion. His words didn't match his soft touch or how she could have sworn he would have kissed her if they hadn't been interrupted.

  He chuckled and shook his head. "We're no longer alone, Princess."

  She followed his gesture as Julyan came around from behind the lodge to greet Alrik as he reached the top of the trail. Being short, Cassia was hidden behind Kali as long as she didn't go up on her toes.

  What did he mean?

  You're asking the wrong horse, Kali said in amusement.

  Why did he do that? Cassia couldn't stop the questions. Her emotions tumbled. She should be focusing on Alrik's sudden arrival, but all she could think about was the almost-kiss and cryptic comment.

  Which action are you referring to?

  As Julyan walked forward to meet Alrik, she forced herself to focus on what was going on around her instead of her inner turmoil. Alrik dismounted, his gaze drifting briefly to where Cassia stood. She felt protected since he couldn't actually see her, but he could see Luki's head over Kali's back.

  They were too far away to hear what Julyan and Alrik spoke of, but judging by the men's glances in her direction, it had to be about her and Luki. She sighed as she turned and leaned against Kali's side to stare hard at Luki.

  "Julyan is not correct," Cassia said in her royal tone.

  Luki's hand paused in mid-stroke and then continued to brush Dall's soft hair. "Why do you say that?"

  "I'm as safe with you as I would be with any of my guards."

  His shoulders shook. "That wasn't the safety I was speaking of."

  "Clarify your meaning."

  Luki glanced over his shoulder to glance at the oncoming men. "Later."

  "Promise."

  He sighed. "I promise."

  Satisfied, she turned to face her latest challenge. She couldn't tell by either of the men's expressions whether her intrigue was indeed about to be exposed.

  "Wrangler Luki," Julyan said as the men reached the corral.

  "Julyan." Luki turned and nodded to Alrik. "Alrik."

  Alrik frowned at him, but didn't respond. Cassia figured Julyan couldn't have said much if Alrik remained focused on Luki and not her.

  "Wrangler Alrik is concerned about your appearance on my property," Julyan said in amusement. "He believes you're trying to take his contract."

  Luki shrugged as if unsurprised by what Julyan had said, but Cassia was surprised. Luki had been hiding the length of the rift between him and Alrik well if Alrik believed Luki would poach from him.

  "I'm afraid Wrangler Alrik is mistaken," Cassia said.

  All three men's attention zeroed in on her.

  "Am I?" Alrik asked.

  Cassia squared her shoulders at his dismissive tone. No one dismissed her. "Yes, you are. I have business with Julyan, not Luki. He is my escort as we explained to you when you invited us into your home."

  Alrik registered surprise at her words and she pushed on.

  "I'm sure you understand I might find it necessary to keep my destinations quiet when dealing in negotiations, and wouldn't feel it necessary to inform an acquaintance of my escort of my true destination."

  Kali snorted and shook her head. Cassia pushed back Kali's pre
sence in her mind, or she might end up joining the horse in laughing at herself. Playing the princess was something she knew how to do, but she always felt absolutely ridiculous when she did.

  Alrik glanced from Luki to Julyan. The other two remained silent and Cassia waited with imperial patience for his response. He scuffed a foot. "I apologize, no disrespect intended, Lady Kaia."

  Julyan raised an eyebrow, but said nothing to correct Alrik.

  "I was protecting my territory," Alrik continued.

  "And insulting Wrangler Luki's honor by insinuating he would poach."

  Alrik flushed and looked more like a scolded boy than a man of his experience. He narrowed his eyes in irritation at Luki. "I don't expect you to understand, Lady Kaia, but I protect my interests."

  "I'm aware of protecting one's interests." Cassia stepped away from Kali and up to Alrik. Luki shifted uneasily out of the corner of her eye. "As a citizen of Karah, I expect you to protect mine as well."

  Alrik looked even more confused.

  "You see, Wrangler Alrik, I've been traveling with great secrecy and haste to this location to obtain critical information important to the sovereignty of Karah and I won't have it risked because of your annoyance over the fact that my escort won't marry your daughter."

  Alrik's flush turned to anger and Cassia waited for his rebuff as he shot a look toward Julyan and found no help there. Alrik's eyes slashed to her and Luki stepped in between them.

  "Thank you, Lady Kaia." Luki tried to break up the tension. "Perhaps Alrik and I should go speak in private and no longer bother you with our negotiations."

  Cassia narrowed her eyes at his interruption. She had been looking forward to cutting Alrik's next comment off at the knees, but the chance had passed. "Your negotiations became my business when they delayed our journey."

  Annoyance flashed across Luki's face, but she stood her ground.

  "I apologize, My Lady," Luki said.

  She wondered if the others had picked up on his sarcasm.

  Julyan finally spoke up, a tad late for the host. "Well, now that everything is clarified, I believe my cook is signaling me that dinner will be served shortly. You've had a long ride, Wrangler Alrik. I invite you to dine with us."

  Alrik sucked in whatever he was about to say, nodded curtly and stormed back to his horse.

  "Lady Kaia, is it?" Julyan said. "Interesting."

  Julyan walked away and left Luki with Cassia.

  "I don't need your protection, Cassia," Luki said, between clenched teeth.

  "You need someone's," Cassia seethed back.

  Luki grabbed her arm and she looked down at his hand before meeting his gaze. Aware they still had an audience she didn't yank it from his pinching grip.

  "What does it matter to you?" he asked.

  She seethed even more and threw away years of upbringing that told her to step away from the situation. "You can honestly ask me that after your actions a few minutes ago?"

  He had the grace to look flushed and dropped his hand.

  "If you want to marry her, you shouldn't have tried to kiss me." Tears threatened to erupt. This was why she avoided arguments. Making decrees and lectures were a lot easier on the emotions.

  "That isn't what this is about. I don't want you stepping between me and my business. I can take care of myself."

  Cassia acknowledged the reprimand. The tears would start in a minute and she'd be crying in front of him. She couldn't allow it to happen, and spun to leap onto Kali's back. The urge to get away overrode the knowledge they weren't alone and she was causing the scene she had been trying to avoid.

  Kali took two strides and leaped, easily clearing the fence surrounding the pen. As Kali darted into the forest behind Julyan's lodge, Cassia realized her mistake. Alrik couldn't have missed that she was riding Kali without tack. But at this point she didn't really care.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The forest wrapped itself around Cassia in soothing shade and Kali slid to a stop above the Talent encampment. Cassia stared blindly down the hill to the temporary lodges and tents spiraling out from a large opening and fire pit in the middle of the meadow.

  Not wanting to think about the people below her, she lay back so her head rested on Kali's hindquarters. All she could see was leaves and branches above her. The mare was quiet waiting for Cassia to make the first move. Confusion and shame wrapped around her. Luki was right. She shouldn't have interfered.

  It wasn't like they could be together anyway. He should marry Fayline. The feelings she'd experienced when his hand ran through her hair and down her back shouldn't matter. They couldn't matter. She still didn't understand why he had almost kissed her.

  Am I an idiot?

  No more than any other girl child.

  Cassia laughed at Kali's answer. I don't know what to do anymore.

  Things will be clearer.

  When? I muddle through everything. I'm in a constant state of indecision and when I finally do decide to do something I can't even explain to myself why I'm doing it.

  Kali shifted in a horse shrug. You're clearer than you realize; that is why you're confused. These are confusing times. Made no easier by these complicated emotional attachments you two-leggeds insist on forming.

  Emotional attachment? Is that what Luki and I have?

  Kali was silent a moment. You wish to have a stronger attachment with him than you do.

  Yes. Cassia sighed. But I can't. I know it in my head. It was easier when it was an infatuation from afar.

  He isn't very far.

  I know.

  No, I mean he's approaching on foot.

  Cassia jerked up and turned to where Kali mentally pointed her. Sure enough, Luki marched steadily through the trees. She thought briefly of running away, but delaying the confrontation wouldn't help her mortification.

  She needed him, not only because she wanted him around, but she needed him to help her get home and make the advisors understand what was happening. Cassia slid off of Kali, landing lightly on the springy ground. Kali moved away to give her privacy and she shot her a look of annoyance.

  We don't need privacy.

  Kali gave another horse shrug and moved even farther away. Without Kali's calming presence, Cassia became even more agitated as Luki grew closer. His steps didn't slow, but his face was apprehensive when he finally stopped a couple of feet in front of her.

  "I wish to formally apologize," he said. "I took advances on your person that are unforgivable."

  Cassia stared in shock as she realized he blamed himself for their fight and actually thought she was upset he'd almost kissed her. Well, she was a little upset that he hadn't kissed her.

  "I swear I won't allow it to happen again," Luki continued. "But if you feel too uncomfortable to travel with me, I will arrange for another escort to take you home."

  She couldn't contain herself any longer and leaped forward, grabbing his hand. She had no doubt he would send her off with someone he considered more suitable. He jerked in surprise.

  "No!" She had to convince him he hadn't crossed the line with her "I have complete faith in your honor, loyalty, and trustworthiness. I want you as my escort."

  He slowly pulled his hand from her grasp and nodded. "I'll await your orders."

  "No," Cassia said again even more harshly and grabbed his shirt to make him stay. "I. I'm not being clear. I think of you as more than an escort. You're my friend. A very good friend. I trust you implicitly without question. You've done nothing to offend. I am the one who has been offensive."

  Luki didn't jerk from her grasp this time, but looked down at her from hooded eyes. "I've acted inappropriately, Princess."

  "No, you have not," she insisted.

  "I took liberties that were not mine to take," he said steadily. "I will be honored to escort you on the rest of your journey."

  His voice was too cool and remote and she frowned at him.

  "You took no liberties that I did not give freely." Cassia stepped closer brin
ging her body up against his.

  A look of alarm crossed his face. "Your Highness."

  "Do not call me that."

  "I shouldn't remain alone with you in these woods."

  "I wish for you to remain alone with me in these woods," Cassia said, wondering at her own brazenness. She could only attribute it to her desperation to hold on to him.

  A small and familiar smile crossed his lips and some of her urgency died down.

  "Julyan is holding the meal for you." Luki inched back so their bodies were no longer touching.

  She sighed in annoyance to cover her disappointment at him putting space between them. "With Alrik?"

  "Yes, you gave an excellent performance for him to speak of."

  "You don't need to chide me for my exit from the pen," she said, relieved he felt comfortable enough to do so. "I'm well aware of the colossal mistake I made. I don't suppose we could stay here until he leaves."

  "We could try." He gently removed her hands from his shirt and dropped them. "But we should probably return and face what is to be said."

  "I'm dreadful at being royal, you know." She laced her fingers together to prevent herself from grabbing him again.

  "Oh, I don't know. You held your own back there."

  "But that's just it. I say things I don't mean because they sound like something someone in my position would say."

  "Your mother?"

  "Yes." She turned away from him to gaze out over the Talent encampment again. "She would be my one and only example of how a queen behaves."

  "You only need to be yourself to be an excellent queen. Don't be so hard on yourself, Your Highness."

  "I thought I told you not to call me that, and you don't need to lie. I'm well aware I've made a huge mess of everything."

  He shook his head. "No, you've done what needed to be done for your kingdom. Only time will tell the outcome of the actions you've taken."

  She smiled slowly at him in thanks. "I told you Julyan wishes for me to stay here and train."

  "With him."

  "Apparently, I haven't reached my full potential."

  "And you need him to do that?"

  "He was surprised at what I'm able to do without training." She glanced at Kali and suspected she had been in training ever since they had left Castle Vespera. "He says I can do a lot more than talk to horses."